California Thunder

Copyright California Thunder- Valerie Van Kirk-LeVier
                                    July 2015

Fastpitch Softball

Coach Val's Bio

​​​​Valerie Van Kirk-LeVier

Married to Coach Mark LeVier, two step-children, daughter, Lacey LeVier- graduated from Div .I softball program after receiving a full scholarship, Univ of Toledo May 2010 majored in Business-Sports Marketing; MS from CSU Long Beach in Sports Management currently employed at Yee & Dubin Sports Management Agency. Son, Corey LeVier- BA in Communications from University of San Diego where he attended on Baseball Scholarship. Corey has his MS in the Sports Management from CSU Long Beach.

Occupation:  Director- Consultant                                                                        Education:   MBA- Organizational Management
                       LA County Probation Department- 28 yrs.                                                            BS- Criminal Justice; Minor- Sociology
                                                                                                                                                    Certificate- Paralegal Studies
COACHING:
19 yrs. coaching California Thunder over 100 that have played softball at colleges of all levels around the country. Valerie currently oversees the training for all Thunder teams ages 12u-18u.

  • Current Owner of The California Softball Academy
  • Coached two Adidas Select Teams
  • Instructor/former Owner of RBI Batting Cages (SOLD JAN. 2008)
  • Early 1990s - Assisted players and coaches from local OC ASA teams at the 16u & 18u level (Hot Stuff of Placentia  & Mavericks of HB
  • Camp & Clinic Instructor So. Cal
  • 1989 Wilson HS Varsity Softball Coach


NCAA PLAYER:
Cal State Fullerton (1985-1988); 4 yr. starter at 2nd base; 1986 National Champions
4x All Conference Selection
Top 10 in career games played, recently fell below top 10 in career steals; Top 10 in career steals

INTERNATIONAL PLAYER (1988) PARMA, ITALY- Italian National Champions (Sinco Parma); Batting Title (.410 Avg.)

ASA PLAYER- 18 UNDER (1983-1985) 2x STATE RUNNER-UP (INLAND CITY RAIDERS); 2x ASA 18u NATIONAL CHAMPIONS (CALIFORNIA RAIDERS-Phil Bruder)

1985 JR OLYMPIC USA TEAM- BRONZE MEDALIST

WOMENS OPEN DIVISION PLAYER (1985-1997)

  • 5x ASA ALL-AMERICAN SELECTION
  • 1989 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS (WHITTIER RAIDERS-Phil Bruder)
  • 5x PARTICIPANT AND MEDALIST IN U.S. OLYMPIC FESTIVAL
  • 1987 PAN AMERICAN TEAM TRIALS
  • 1991 PAN AMERICAN TEAM TRIALS
  • 1996 U.S. OLYMPIC TRIALS


HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETE (WORKMAN HIGH SCHOOL- 1980-1984):

  • 3 YEARS VARSITY VOLLEYBALL                        4 YEARS VARSITY BASKETBALL                4 YEARS VARSITYSOFTBALL
  • 2 TIME ALL LEAGUE SELECTION                        3 TIME ALL LEAGUE SELECTION                 4 TIME ALL LEAGUE SELECTION

                                                                                          2 TIME ALL CIF SELECTION                         2 TIME ALL CIF SELECTION 

                                                                                                                                                                   * 1983 CIF CHAMPIONS
PROFESSIONALLY:
As  a player in the early-mid 1990s, Valerie participated on one of 2 teams that toured the U.S. to promote a professional softball league; originally known as the NFA, John Horan was the original promoter. The NPF website once stated that the league was created through, "Field research and market studies began later that fall and continued to take place through 1993. In January 1994, plans for a barnstorming tour were announced, and 18 months later two teams comprised of former collegiate all-stars played exhibition games in cities throughout the Midwest. The tour was an overwhelming success and provided the framework for a true professional league."